by Bru Baker
“Max! It’s so good to see you,” she bubbled as she leaned in to kiss his cheek. Her coconut-water cocktail slopped onto the floor, and she swiped at it with her foot, knocking herself off balance and falling against Max’s chest like she was tipsy.
“You’re cutting it close,” she murmured when he wrapped his arms around her to right her. “Uncle Daniel is on the warpath because the mayor was supposed to be here to hand out an award and he’s not here yet.”
“He’s not coming for dinner. He’ll be here in time to give it to them and say a few words, but he thinks this is a sham of an award, and he didn’t want to be in all the publicity photos.”
Uncle Al was presenting some award to a company that had reduced its carbon footprint by more than half in the last year, but Uncle Al said it was still one of the city’s top polluters.
He’d promised Max that he’d stay for a bit afterward so Max could introduce him to Danny’s parents. It had been one of the conditions of their donation, and Max wanted to get it over with sooner rather than later.
“Well, the Clean Water Initiative board won’t be happy to hear that,” she said.
“Your uncle’s a member, I take it?”
She grinned at him and stepped back out of his embrace. “President, of course.”
Oscar was grinning ear to ear when she sidled up next to him. He slipped an arm around her waist but let her guide them through the crowd. Max had never seen his partner so smitten.
Danny flagged down a waiter to clean up Sloane’s drink, and he took Max’s hand and tugged him toward the dining room.
“What was that about?” Danny asked as they joined the line for the bar.
“Your father is upset that Uncle Al isn’t here yet. She was warning me.”
He’d definitely judged Sloane wrong when they first met. He’d dismissed her as rude, privileged, and vapid, but privileged was the only one that stuck. And he couldn’t very well hold that against her while he was dating Danny, someone so clueless that he honestly didn’t see anything strange about taking a helicopter to Montauk for dinner.
“He won’t make a scene here,” Danny said with an apologetic shrug. “Even if his reputation wasn’t on the line, Alpha Connoll is here, and he behaves pretty well around him.”
Fire shivered down Max’s spine, pooling in his stomach. It was almost the same sensation as his skin rippling when he changed, but the pain was absent. This wasn’t bones and sinew reknitting themselves into something new—it was more like his instincts rebelling against Danny reminding him that he belonged to a different Alpha. Fledgling bond or not, Max didn’t have any claim over him, and it was making his instincts go nuts.
He’d known the Alpha was here. Even if Danny hadn’t told him, he’d have known the moment he walked into the room and been enveloped by the raw animal energy of another powerful Alpha. Sometimes he’d even get a zing off an Alpha who didn’t hold the Pack power. Shaking Mr. Cresswell’s hand made his fingers tingle. Doing the same with Alpha Connoll would actually hurt.
Danny ran a hand up his arm, his eyes locked on Max’s face. “Are you okay? Is it a problem that he’s here?”
It shouldn’t be. Alpha Connoll wasn’t a threat to his mating with Danny. The man was happily mated himself and had no interest in Danny, but knowing that Alpha Connoll could put Danny on his knees if he wanted to made Max want to roar out a challenge for him right there.
Danny leaned in and buried his face against Max’s neck. The contact soothed some of the fire in Max’s belly, and he brought a hand up automatically to rest against Danny’s back, encouraging him to stay where he was. Danny chuckled and pressed a light kiss to Max’s neck.
“Is this because of some Alpha asshole shit?”
His frankness startled a laugh out of Max. It was indeed because of some Alpha asshole shit. He loved the way Danny could cut to the heart of things and defuse his anxiety in seconds.
He pulled away and met Danny’s questioning gaze. “I’m not asking you to do it now because I know we’re nowhere near there yet. But if things between us work out, would you be comfortable leaving your Pack to join mine?”
He’d expected Danny to shy away from the question or even physically back away from him, since he’d made it clear he didn’t like Alpha types and hated the idea of being under anyone’s control. Max was aware he sounded like a possessive boyfriend right now, but he couldn’t help it.
Danny didn’t move except to tighten his grip on Max’s forearm. “Honestly? I’d join your Pack tomorrow if the only way in wasn’t marriage. I love being with your family, Max. They’re great. Did you know your Auntie Ruth is making me a sweater? For the winter. She said I was too skinny and pulled a skein of yarn out of her bag and started knitting one right away. For me, someone she’d just met. She was so sweet and kind, making sure I got enough to eat and introducing me around when Ray and Tori were busy. I can’t even explain what it feels like to be with your Pack, Max. I’ve never felt so accepted in my life.”
Max was staggered by the sincerity in Danny’s tone. He’d only known this man a few weeks, but Danny had wormed his way into every part of Max’s life. His partner liked him. His family loved him. His Pack was offering to clothe him for the winter. He was perfect.
Max pulled Danny out of line and found them a secluded spot where they wouldn’t be overheard.
“You know she’s not really my aunt, right?”
“She didn’t smell the same way you do, so I figured. A different type of shifter?”
“Ruth’s shifted form is a lynx,” Max said. “She’s been part of the Pack longer than I’ve been alive. She’s also never been married.”
Danny’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “But you said the only way in was to be born into it or marry into it.”
“I haven’t taken in any new members since I took over the Alpha mantle,” Max explained. “There are probably close to a hundred and fifty members. My grandmother did this full time, but I want a career. I want an identity outside of being the Alpha. So I decided when I took over that we wouldn’t be taking new members unless they married in. But I was wrong. We’ve always been a safe haven for any shifter who needed a Pack home, and now I understand why. If you want to join, Danny, you can. You don’t have to be my Alpha Mate, and you certainly don’t have to marry me just so you can have a Pack that accepts you. We can have the ceremony at the next moon if you want.”
Danny’s scent went citrusy with surprise. “Max, you barely know me—”
“I know you well enough to be positive you’d be an asset to any Pack. I would be honored if you would join mine. And not just you, Danny. Sloane too. She’s important to you, which means she’s important to me as well.”
He didn’t trust his own instincts here, since he wanted Danny by his side any way he could get him. But Danny was right. Max’s Pack loved him. Auntie Ruth was one of the prickliest, most sarcastic people he knew. Danny had called her sweet. If she liked Danny, then Danny was amazing. He’d do anything he could to get Danny to join them.
Neither of them were prepared when Danny’s father laid a hand on each of their shoulders.
“Gentlemen, they’ve begun seating people,” he said. He gave Max’s shoulder a hard squeeze and didn’t release him, apparently intent on guiding them into the ballroom.
It took all of Max’s control not to growl and shrug the unwanted hand off. Touching an Alpha without permission could have ugly consequences. Max closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Was it possible Danny’s father didn’t know? Danny hadn’t, after all. The Cresswells spent so much energy on passing for human that their senses must be dulled. Max had heard of it happening, but the stories were always about shifters who denied that part of themselves. Was that even possible for a werewolf?
Shifters didn’t feel the pull of the moon like werewolves did, so he had no idea what happened on a full moon. Max imagined it was like a yearning, like when he went too long between changing and his skin ached.
&
nbsp; “I sent your uncle an invitation to sit at our table, but his assistant declined,” Mr. Cresswell said.
Max pasted on his best smile. “My uncle had another engagement tonight. He will be here to present the award, and if time allows he will mingle afterward.”
Mr. Cresswell gritted his teeth. “Unacceptable. I was very clear—”
“Jesus,” Danny muttered, whirling around and forcing his father to stop marching them toward the ballroom. “I appreciate your donation. It’s going to do a lot of good and make a real difference for these kids. But I’m the one who agreed to attend all these events in exchange. Not Max, and not his uncle. Me.”
“You know full well what I expected when you agreed, Daniel,” his father snarled.
“I don’t appreciate your tone,” Max said. He rolled his shoulder, dislodging Mr. Cresswell’s hand.
“I don’t recall asking you if you did.”
Mr. Cresswell’s knuckles went white against Danny’s tuxedo jacket, and Danny winced. Max reached out before he’d given it conscious thought and wrapped his hand over Danny’s father’s, squeezing hard enough to break several bones. Mr. Cresswell gasped and let go of Danny, and Max pulled Danny behind him before Danny could react.
Max put a hand on Mr. Cresswell’s back and leaned in. Anyone passing by would assume he was giving him a hug, but Max squeezed in close enough that Mr. Cresswell gasped as his broken hand was sandwiched between them.
“I admire your son too much to make a scene, but that’s the only thing keeping me from putting you on the ground.” Max kept his voice calm and level. “We will continue to honor the deal Danny made with you, and that includes my uncle attending the fundraiser you’re organizing for the foundation. But you don’t own me, nor do you own any piece of my uncle. You are not Danny’s Alpha, and he will not be taking orders from you. Do you understand?”
“How I speak to my son is none of your damn business. Do you have any idea how much power I have in this city? By the time I’m done, I’ll have your badge.”
Mr. Cresswell stepped back, and Max let him go, moving to Danny’s side.
“Daniel, I am through putting up with you dragging our family name through the mud. I’ll take back every cent of that donation unless you—”
He swallowed hard when Alpha Connoll joined them, his threat trailing off before he could complete it. His jaw dropped when Alpha Connoll tilted his neck to Max, a sign of respect and deference.
“I’d heard about your donation,” Connoll said. “Well past time for it, I’d say. Danny is doing amazing work, and every dollar counts.”
Danny flushed under the Alpha’s praise, and Max’s chest tightened in jealousy. It seemed to amuse Alpha Connoll, who smirked and put a hand on Max’s shoulder.
“Ah, so that’s the way of it. I see. Well done, Max. You’ve chosen a very strong mate. He’ll be quite the helpmate in guiding your Pack.”
He put another hand on Danny’s shoulder, but the pose, while similar to the one Mr. Cresswell had them in earlier, was anything but threatening. Max could feel the pride and respect the older Alpha had for Danny, and he hoped Danny could feel it too, even after Alpha Connoll dropped his hands and the connection was lost.
Mr. Cresswell gaped at them. “What?”
“I hope I haven’t let the cat out of the bag too early,” Alpha Connoll said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Or the binturong, I should say.”
Max doubted the Alpha regretted it at all. And neither did he. He was proud to be bonding with Danny, and he would have shouted it from the rooftops if he could. It was too early in their relationship to be talking about it outside the Pack, but Mr. Cresswell was family and Connoll was Danny’s Alpha. They should be happy for him. Besides, if the bond was strong enough for Connoll to sense it, it wasn’t fledgling anymore. They might not have been together long, but their instincts were working on overdrive to push them toward the Alpha Mate bond.
Danny had paled a bit when Alpha Connoll congratulated them, but he regained his color as he looked at his father’s shocked face.
“I’m joining Max’s Pack,” he said. He hesitated, bowing his head when he turned toward Alpha Connoll. “That is, sir, I plan to petition to move from the Connoll Pack to the Torres Pack. I’m sure we’re breaking all kinds of protocol here, and I apologize.”
Alpha Connoll laughed. “I’d be upset if you weren’t, Danny. I can hardly protest when true love is involved, now can I?”
From the look on Mr. Cresswell’s face, he very much wanted to protest. But he stayed silent, his mouth a thin, angry line.
“I wouldn’t worry about the safety of your badge,” Alpha Connoll said conversationally. “Daniel and I will be having a chat. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like?”
Max hadn’t been overly worried on that account. He was more concerned about the effect this confrontation would have on Danny. He’d separated himself physically from his father a decade ago, but despite his many protests to the contrary, it was obvious that Danny’s father still had the ability to hurt him emotionally.
Everyone had already gone in for dinner, so they all looked up when one of the large ballroom doors creaked open. Mrs. Cresswell was bearing down on them impressively fast, given that her shoes were hardly more appropriate than Sloane’s.
Max held eye contact with her as he answered Alpha Connoll’s question.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t want to interfere, Alpha. I’m more concerned about the impact on Danny’s foundation if he goes through with his threat to pull his donation.”
Alpha Connoll turned to Danny. “The Connoll Pack would be honored to make a matching donation to the foundation, Danny. In the event that your father rescinds his support, ours will remain. Consider it a mating gift.”
“He most certainly will not rescind the donation,” Mrs. Cresswell said when she reached them. She looked at Danny, her expression stricken. “Daniel, I am so sorry. Alpha Connoll, please accept my apologies. I didn’t hear everything, but I heard enough.”
The Alpha inclined his head.
“This isn’t your doing, Veronica. You have no cause to apologize.”
She took Danny’s father by the elbow of his injured hand, making him wince.
“Danny, please make our excuses to the table. Your father has fallen ill, and I’m afraid I need to take him home immediately.”
Danny’s eyes widened, and he met Max’s gaze. The citrusy-sweet scent of Danny’s surprised gratitude cut through the anger and fear in the hallway. It only made Max angrier—Danny shouldn’t be surprised that his mother came to his aid. That was a mother’s job. Clearly it hadn’t happened much in Danny’s life.
“Thank you, Mother,” Danny said, his voice hoarse.
She made eye contact with Danny. “Would you mind terribly if I came by to see you tomorrow? I—there is so much I don’t know about your life, and the fault is entirely mine.”
Max put a hand on Danny’s shoulder. He could feel him trembling, and his protective instinct welled over. He wanted to answer for Danny, but that was the last thing Danny needed right now. Max needed to show him that he wasn’t just trading one controlling Alpha for another. Even though it physically hurt, he kept his mouth shut.
Danny glanced back at him and offered him a small smile. Max couldn’t even imagine what he must smell like now. His struggle was probably clear to everyone, which was humiliating. It certainly wasn’t fitting of an Alpha of Max’s status. But if he wanted Danny as his Alpha Mate, Max was going to have to get used to feeling like this. Danny wasn’t his to speak for or command.
“I have plans with the Torres Pack tomorrow,” Danny said, reaching up to give Max’s fingers a squeeze. “But why don’t you come to the foundation office Monday morning? I can give you a tour of the offices and the day center, and then maybe we can go to lunch.”
The sincerity in Danny’s voice made Max’s chest hurt. He hoped Mrs. Cresswell was serious about getting to know her son. Otherwise she
was just setting Danny up for even more heartbreak.
“That sounds lovely.”
Mr. Cresswell started to speak, but Alpha Connoll cut him off with a barely audible growl.
Both Cresswells flinched, but Mrs. Cresswell recovered first. Her expression was grim and her posture ramrod straight.
“Please enjoy the evening, Alpha Connoll,” Mrs. Cresswell said. “I’m sorry you had to see our family like this.”
Alpha Connoll pursed his lips. “I’m not,” he said bluntly. “My only regret is I didn’t see this years ago when I could have actually helped Danny.”
Mrs. Cresswell kept her head held high, but tears glazed her eyes. She led Mr. Cresswell out of the lobby, leaving Max standing alone with Danny and Alpha Connoll.
“Why don’t the two of you head out as well? I can explain to Sloane and the rest of your father’s table,” Connoll offered. He paused and shook his head with a soft laugh. “Or rather, I can tell the table both Danny and his father fell ill and went home. I’ll tell Sloane the truth, of course. But the rest of the table is human.”
Danny’s lips curled into a sneer. “My father only associates with Supes when it will be socially or financially beneficial. He thinks of his wolf as a birth defect.”
Max could barely contain his anger. Things had been worse for Danny than he realized. He regretted letting Mr. Cresswell go with a few broken bones in his hand. He should have shattered it.
“I’m sorry you were raised carrying that burden, Danny,” Alpha Connoll said.
“It’s no one’s fault but my father’s,” Danny said. He leaned heavily against Max. “If you’ll excuse us, Alpha, I think I need to get Max upstairs before he explodes.”
Was Danny getting better at deciphering scents or was it just that obvious that Max was about to lose his shit? He’d held his instincts at bay pretty well in a stressful situation, but his control was slipping.
